Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I concur with the previous speaker on the importance of this issue to those of us who live in the North. I confuse people everywhere I go when I say I am geographically north but politically south. From spending seven years at a Belfast university, I have seen the benefits of the agreements first-hand. It is interesting to observe the real South as it discovers the challenges of Border life in terms of shopping trips and commercial activity.

I recognise the importance of cross-Border activities such as Project Kelvin. I understand a spur to Newry has been suggested for that project. Perhaps the Minister would consider a spur to the Inishowen Peninsula. I appreciate much good work is being done by the North-South Ministerial Council but we do not know in advance of meetings what issues will arise at them. The council's proceedings are discussed in Stormont and Members of these Houses would also like to contribute to the debate. We do not underestimate the abilities of the Minister or his officials but we have first-hand experience of these issues because we live this life.

I could throw a rock into the Foyle from my house. The Foyle is not being exploited for tourism or enterprise. Third parties are making claims on which I cannot get confirmation. Some people claim we are conducting a flag wrapping exercise to take over the Foyle by stealth but we are simply saying that, of all places in Ireland, the north west needs economic development. The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission is a wonderful body which deserves our Government's active participation but we should expand its powers so that it can deal with all issues pertaining to the Foyle and its tributaries, from planning permission to jet ski and angling sites.

I produced a report for the Council of Europe on teaching history in areas of recent conflict. In the Soviet era, teachers were told to teach a single truth. Catholics and Protestants in the North have long held to their respective single truths, although that is beginning to change. The chairperson of the education committee in the North recently agreed with me that schools should be a safe haven, although he did not realise that I raised the issue with sarcastic intent. I ask for the Minister to comment on my report, which will probably be sent first to the Minister for Education and Science via the Council of Ministers.

I am currently investigating the issue of hate music. The Lambeg drum was used in Riverdance as a symbol of togetherness but it is also an element of the marching season. Sport and the arts can be used for division as well as reconciliation.

My grandfather was held for 13 months in 1920 and 1921 as an internee in Ballykinlar. British troops are to withdraw from the base at Ballykinlar by 2016 although, as I said to Jim Wells, perhaps 2014 would have been an easier date to commemorate. When the base is handed over to Stormont I ask that some mechanism be found for commemorating both internees and the soldiers of the 36th regiment who were sent to the Somme.